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The Silver Book of Cocktails – 1001 cocktails for every occasion

Apple Press has provided me with some of my favourite cookbooks. They also publish a very smart series of marvellously luxurious shiny, belly-jacketed books for those who want that ‘Oooohhhh – Aaahhhh’ impact.

The Silver Book of Cocktails has silver-edged pages, silver place ribbon, sumptuous pictures of tempting drinks and 1001 recipes for cocktails. It’s a huge book for the cocktail aficionado or those who are happy to practise to become one. Well, we all need a hobby.

The book opens with an introduction and history of cocktails, a list of handy bar equipment and a catalogue of assorted glasses. One would, after all, lose all credibility if one was to serve an Apricot Sour in a champagne flute. If your friends are like mine, though, they will be happy to have theirs from an envelope rather than not at all.

The first chapter concerns itself with aperitifs and there are many here that are new to me. Bloody Mary is a classic but I have never before come across an Amsterdammer, with cherry brandy and advocaat. A Chablis Cooler might be just the thing for sipping on warm summer evenings. It has some soda water but that only slightly dilutes the mix of vodka and wine.

The Shooters chapter has a striking selection of stripy drinks. A layer of white crème de menthe topped with crème de cacao makes a Halloween Spider. Harbour Lights has stripes of kahlua, tequila and rum, but the most popular from this collection might be the Undertaker with its attractive sections of Jägermeister, white rum and Cointreau. Leave the car keys at home on the hall table if this is your cocktail of choice.

A bowl of punch can be an option when there is a crowd. To suit a party with varying degrees of alcohol tolerance I think it’s best to consider uncomplicated combinations and avoid anything that is excessively potent. Flaming Christmas Punch would be ideal before Christmas dinner or if you have invited the church choir over for mince pies. (Check that those singers are all over 18, though.) Any food or drink that is ignited is always a crowd pleaser. Ensure the lights are low for best effect.

I am not a cocktail drinker by habit but I do have a couple of favourites. Whisky Sour is a sophisticated but simple cocktail and is found here in the After Dinner chapter. This reminds me of nights in New York watching black-and-white movies of Cary Grant. It’s the lemon juice that gives the pleasantly tart flavour. Few ingredients, so less chance of unfortunate side effects. If whisky isn’t available then a gin Gimlet would be my pick.

The Silver Book of Cocktails is a stunner. It will be a welcome gift for any wannabe mixologist or barista. The photography adds so much to this volume, that will be pawed over and poured over. It’s amazing value for money.

The Silver Book of Cocktails – 1001 cocktails for every occasion
Published by: Apple Press
Price: £20.00
ISBN 978-1-84543-387-1